ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Mallinckrodt, the Pharmaceuticals business of Covidien (NYS: COV) , today announced that it launched the 36 and 54 milligram (mg) dosage strengths of Methylphenidate HCl Extended-Release (ER) Tablets USP (CII), generic version of CONCERTA®. These two dosage strengths will be available in addition to the 27 mg dosage strength. The 27 mg dosage strength was made available in December 2012, when Mallinckrodt received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to manufacture and market the tablets in 27, 36 and 54 mg dosage strengths.

Methylphenidate HCl ER Tablets are indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children 6 years of age and older, adolescents and adults up to the age of 65. The treatment is an integral part of a total treatment program for ADHD that may include other measures (psychological, educational, social). Mallinckrodt believes it holds a separate 180-day exclusivity period for each of the 36 and 54 mg dosage strengths, which began upon commercial launch of each respective dosage strength.

"The launch of these additional dosage strengths are important additions to our line of generic pharmaceutical products and we look forward to providing these affordable treatment options to patients coping with ADHD," Mark Trudeau, President, Mallinckrodt, said.

Mallinckrodt is the largest U.S. supplier of opioid pain medications and the 12th largest generic pharmaceuticals manufacturer in the U.S., based on prescriptions. Covidien announced in December 2011 that it plans to spin off Mallinckrodt into a stand-alone company, a process expected to be completed in mid-2013.

IMPORTANT RISK INFORMATION FOR METHYLPHENIDATE HCl ER TABLETS

INDICATION

Methylphenidate HCl ER Tablets are indicated for the treatment of ADHD in children 6 years of age and older, adolescents and adults up to the age of 65.

IMPORTANT RISK INFORMATION

DRUG DEPENDENCE

Methylphenidate HCl ER Tablets should be given cautiously to patients with a history of drug dependence or alcoholism. Chronic abusive use can lead to marked tolerance and psychological dependence with varying degrees of abnormal behavior.Frank psychotic episodes can occur, especially with parenteral abuse. Careful supervision is required during withdrawal from abusive use since severe depression may occur. Withdrawal following chronic therapeutic use may unmask symptoms of the underlying disorder that may require follow-up.

Methylphenidate HCl ER Tablets are contraindicated in patients:

With a known hypersensitivity to the product or its components;

With marked anxiety, tension, or agitation;

With glaucoma;

With tics or a family history or diagnosis of Tourette's syndrome; and

The most common adverse reaction (>5%) reported in children and adolescents was upper abdominal pain. The most common adverse reactions (>10%) reported in adults were dry mouth, nausea, decreased appetite, headache and insomnia.

Health care professionals should monitor patients for changes in heart rate and blood pressure and use with caution in patients for whom an increase in blood pressure or heart rate would be problematic.

Use of stimulants may cause treatment-emergent psychotic or manic symptoms in patients with no prior history, or exacerbation of symptoms in patients with preexisting psychiatric illness. Clinical evaluation for bipolar disorder is recommended prior to stimulant use. Healthcare professionals should monitor for aggressive behavior.

Stimulants may lower the convulsive threshold. Discontinue in the presence of seizures.

Difficulties with accommodation and blurring of vision have been reported with stimulant treatment.

Covidien is a leading global healthcare products company that creates innovative medical solutions for better patient outcomes and delivers value through clinical leadership and excellence. Covidien manufactures, distributes and services a diverse range of industry-leading product lines in three segments: Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies. With 2012 revenue of $11.9 billion, Covidien has 43,000 employees worldwide in 70 countries, and its products are sold in over 140 countries. Please visit www.covidien.com to learn more about our business.

Mallinckrodt, the Pharmaceuticals business of Covidien, is a vertically integrated leader in providing products used in diagnostic procedures and in the treatment of pain and related conditions. The company is the largest U.S. supplier, by prescription, of controlled substance pain medications and a leading manufacturer of active pharmaceutical ingredients. It is also the largest U.S. supplier of the medical isotope technetium-99m and an industry leader in radiopharmaceuticals and contrast media and delivery systems. Sales in 2012 were $2.0 billion. Please visit www.mallinckrodt.com to learn more about our business.

CONCERTA is a registered trademark of ALZA Corporation.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Any statements contained in this communication that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on our management's current beliefs and expectations, but are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances, which may cause actual results or Company actions to differ materially from what is expressed or implied by these statements. The factors that could cause actual future results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, our ability to effectively introduce and market new products or keep pace with advances in technology, the reimbursement practices of a small number of large public and private insurers, cost-containment efforts of customers, purchasing groups, third-party payors and governmental organizations, intellectual property rights disputes, complex and costly regulation, including healthcare fraud and abuse regulations and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, manufacturing or supply chain problems or disruptions, rising commodity costs, recalls or safety alerts and negative publicity relating to Covidien or its products, product liability losses and other litigation liability, divestitures of some of our businesses or product lines, our ability to execute strategic acquisitions of, investments in or alliances with other companies and businesses, competition, risks associated with doing business outside of the United States, foreign currency exchange rates and environmental remediation costs. These and other factors are identified and described in more detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2012, and in subsequent filings with the SEC. We disclaim any obligation to update these forward-looking statements other than as required by law.